STE. GENEVIEVE – Ste. Genevieve’s own Jennifer Gegg has become quite a celebrity after returning home from the NHPA World Championship in Sandy, Utah last week.
Don Pritchard of KSGM Radio said he first learned of Jenny’s accomplishment when one of her sisters sent him a message and suggested it might make a good story. That led to an interview which will be broadcast today during the noon news segment and in the 5 p.m. news segment on KSGM 980 am and 105.3 fm. Then another sister sent a similar message. She was also contacted by a St. Louis television station.
The accomplishment came after 20 years of pitching horseshoes in the area, including lots of practice on the backyard court her husband built her at home.
She was introduced to horseshoes many years ago when she attended a graduation party. Like many such events in the area, it included a game of horseshoes. The late David Grass needed a partner and Jennifer said okay.
She was hooked with the first throw.
It wasn’t long before she entered local tournaments and annual Knights of Columbus state tournament.
“I started pitching over 20 years ago in tournaments around Ste Gen and the yearly Knights of Columbus,” she said. “That lead me to wanting to practice more so I joined the NHPA. This years renewal with be my 10th year participating (in the NHPA).
The NHPA was a horeshoe pitching on a whole new level.
“The NHPA format is different the typical two-man format with Gordon horseshoes we are used to around Ste Genevieve. It is played solo in the clay and each person has their own unique style and type of horseshoe they pitch with. I started out in C class averaging 40ish percent.
Jennifer Gegg with her trophy.
Jennifer is surrounded by other throwers.
Practice and persistence paid off.
Jennifer pitches at the Ringer Classic in Ohio. She won it this year and last year.
“My first World Tournament was in 2021 in Winnemucca, Nevada and I made the champions class that year and as they say the rest is history, she recalled. “This year marked my fourth time competing in a World Tournament,” she said.
The world tournament is dfinitely big-league staff with participants from Canada, Germany and all the 50 U.S. states.
“There were 665 participants overall and most are grouped in 16 person classes. I came in seeded second with an average of 82.13 percent. After three days and 600 shows I came in second with a 78.33 average. After three more days and 1,010 more shoes. We ended in a three-way tie. Since I averaged the highest percentage over all by 0.5 percent — yes, one half of one percent! I was guaranteed a chance to compete for the title. After the other game went 50 minutes and 112 shoes long I had my opponent Skyla Rioux (18 years old). After we went 96 shoes with me averaging 86.46 and Skyla 82.29% I won the title with an over all percentage of 81.98 percent.”
Jennifer is the 37th woman to have the honor of winning the world title and only the second woman in the state of Missouri to do so, after 10-time world champion Vicki Winston.
Her homecoming reception included a surprise victory party at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
“I was so surprised and the support is unbelievable. You should see the banner!”
Courtesy of Eric Scott